West Jakarta in final for best district court

JAKARTA (JP): The West Jakarta District Court is one step away from winning the award for the best district court in the country.

The court, on Jl. S. Parman, where "Ecstasy queen" Zarina Mirafsur was tried and convicted earlier this year, is in the last round of the Adisatya Bakti award for the title of the best court of law.

The other finalist in the Ministry of Justice competition is a court in Central Java.

Director General of Public Courts and State Administration Lies Sugondo, during an inspection tour to select the winner, said West Jakarta served the public well.

"This court provides pamphlets, brochures and notices to the public informing them what to do and how, and when they need its services," Lies said.

She said the court's physical condition was also impressive, citing its cleanliness and the quality of its services.

Lies praised West Jakarta court's system of scheduling its hearings which she said guaranteed speedier justice.

The court holds marathon trials every day and hearings are conducted all day long, while most other courts in Jakarta do not sit after lunch.

"People still come here in the afternoon knowing that trials can still be conducted," she said.

West Jakarta District Court Chief Andar Purba said there was nothing out of the ordinary about his court.

"We only do what we feel is necessary," Purba said.

"The pamphlets help people so they don't have to ask for everything from our staff. And they can read everything they want to know on the notice boards," he said.

This is the first such competition run by the ministry.

It will also give an award to the country's best immigration office. The two finalists are Batam and West Jakarta, Lies said. (12)